The defective starting current limiter in hundreds of Mercedes-Benz vehicles can cause a fire. — File Photo

Mercedes-Benz Vietnam is issuing a recall to the owners of 1,234 vehicles of various models in Viet Nam to fix faulty power systems and the electrical connection to the electro-hydraulic power steering (EHPS).

According to the German car company, the list of vehicles includes many small-size models from the A-Class, C-Class and E-Class sedans, SUVs like the GLC, GLE, GL, and high-performance AMG models.

Under the recall campaign, 940 vehicles are being recalled to fix the power systems due to a risk of fire and the remainder of nearly 300 SUV units will be recalled to replace the electrical connections of the EHPS.

Mercedes-Benz Vietnam said that the reason for recalling 940 vehicles is due to a defective starting current limiter that can be overloaded when starting the engine.

The starting current limiter could overload under “unique” conditions where a driver repeatedly tried to start their car when the engine had seized up, said Mercedes-Benz Vietnam. In the worst case scenario it is possible to ignite the surrounding parts and thus cause a fire.

The solution is to install a fuse on the starting current limiter as a precaution to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers.

As for nearly 300 SUVs, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam says the EHPS’s electrical connection could get wet, increasing the risk of accidents depending on the condition of the vehicle.

Mercedes-Benz Vietnam recommended that consumers should bring their vehicles to its official dealers to fix the error. The repairs are expected to take about one hour per unit.

The recall campaign will last from now until September 10, 2020 at authorised agents across the country and is completely free.

As for vehicles imported to Viet Nam under the form of assets, diplomatic and personal use, Mercedes-Benz Vietnam will support and fix the error for free when it receives approval from Daimler AG in Germany. — VNS